Locomotive diesel engine cylinder head cover assembly seal

#The exemplary teachings herein pertain to locomotive diesel engine cylinder head cover assembly seals or gaskets. Specifically, the present disclosure relates to a locomotive diesel engine cylinder head cover assembly seal or gasket with dimensional and material specifications providing for operational safety, durability and reliability in the rail industry, incorporated to prevent oil leakage through the mating contact surface with the cylinder head support frame during the operation of the diesel engine.

#Typically, most diesel/electrical locomotives have a power generation source assembled into the locomotive to generate the electrical power required to drive the traction motors found on each of the multiple wheel sets. This power source has in the past been comprised of only two diesel engine configurations based on the combustion cycle, namely the two stroke Electro-Motive Division of General Motors (EMD), and the four stroke General Electric Transportation System (GETS). This unique and significant difference in the engine configuration specifically defines the required fluid lubrication and cooling system requirements for each of these two diesel engines' individual and multiple power assemblies.

#The EMD locomotive diesel engine (see prior art FIG. 1) has multiple but separate and individual power assemblies, typically being 8, 12, 16 or 20 cylinders per this two-stroke diesel engine's Vee block arrangement. The power assemblies for a typical EMD 16 cylinder engine are assembled in groups of four, eight total on each bank of the engine's 45 degree Vee block (see prior art FIG. 2) along with all the supporting components, such as the camshafts, camshaft bearings, rocker arms, valve bridges, fuel injectors, fuel lines, and mechanical linkage (see prior art FIG. 3), and are all generally “splash” lubricated and cooled with the engine's pressurized lubricating oil that is directed to each of the power assemblies located inside the engine's cylinder head support frame assembly.

#The drawing figures depict one or more implementations in accord with the present teachings, by way of example only, not by way of limitation. In the drawing figures, like reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements.

#FIG. 1 is diagram of a prior art EMD locomotive engine.

#FIG. 2 is a picture of a prior art cylinder head cover and support frame assembly for a sixteen cylinder engine.

#The following description refers to numerous specific details which are set forth by way of examples to provide a thorough understanding of the relevant method(s), system(s) and device(s) disclosed herein. It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present disclosure may be practiced without such details. In other instances, well known methods, procedures, components and/or hardware have been described at a relatively high-level, without detail, in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring aspects of the present disclosure. While the description refers by way of example to locomotive diesel engine cylinder head cover assembly seals or gaskets and the installation and use thereof, it should be understood that the method(s), system(s) and device(s) described herein may be used in any situation where gaskets are needed or desired.

#FIGS. 10A, 10B and 11 illustrate one embodiment of the seal or gasket of the present disclosure. The disclosed seal or gasket 10 has a mechanical profile and a chemical composition that are combined for application on a locomotive diesel engine's cylinder head cover. The disclosed seal or gasket 10 contributes to the overall improved durability and performance of the cylinder head cover seal, thus promoting longer operational life and greater reliability from leakage failures. The dimensional profile and material chemical composition include the following: a) the seal's cross sectional dimensional profile configuration and shape having protrusions/legs/appendices 14 and 16 which promote the mechanically forced elastomeric material to flow outward and cover the entire cylinder head support frame contact surface 8 and provide the additional clamping compression on the cylinder head support frame 4 (shown in FIG. 10B) to increase the sealing effect (continuous compression set resistance), and b) the elastomeric material composition has properties to complement the mechanical design in order to enhance the resistance to compression set (in order to hold and maintain its dimensions and profile), and provide the durability required for the environmental and operational temperature fluctuations experienced from overhaul-to-overhaul service time.

#The seal 10 material composition and durometer is preferably a high grade silicone extrusion of a 65 durometer. This gasket example meets the demands of a high performance seal, suitable for sealing locomotive engine pressurized lubricating oil.